Philanthropy

Scholarship Woes: Since word got out that 51 of America's best and brightest students had lost out on promised college-scholarship money, business leaders and philanthropists from Alaska to North Carolina have responded with donations that include money and computers.

The contributions have brought relief to students who found that Val Adams, the founder of the Houston-based AdamsVision Inc., could not deliver on his promise of renewable, $10,000 merit scholarships. Mr. Adams' marketing and promotions company notified the students' colleges earlier this winter that AdamsVision would be unable to pay the money it had pledged. The company had intended to raise the money through a business venture that failed. ( "Philanthropist Reneges on College Scholarships," Feb. 24, 1999.)

Because the company reneged, students feared they would have to drop out of college or transfer...